Dr. Craig Smith Performs Aortic Valve Surgery On Ed Koch, Former NYC Mayor

By Adam Pick on June 19, 2009

Great news!!!

Ed Koch, the former mayor of New York City, is reported to be in stable condition following his aortic valve replacement surgery earlier today.

A spokesman says the 84-year-old mayor is doing “as well as expected” after a challenging open heart procedure at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

Ed Koch’s surgeon was Dr. Craig Smith, one of the leading heart surgeons on the East Coast. Doctor Craig Smith also performed a bypass procedure on former President Bill Clinton in 2004.

 

Dr. Craig Smith, M.D.

 

Ed Koch served as mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989. Koch told Mayor Michael Bloomberg earlier this week that he was doing fine and was looking forward to getting out of the hospital.

Keep on tickin!
Adam


Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick, Heart Valve Patient Advocate

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.


Paul says on June 20th, 2009 at 1:46 pm

Hi Adam,

Thanks so much for the blog. Along with your excellent book, it’s been a great help to my wife, who had her aortic valve replaced here in Paris, France nearly three weeks ago. She’s doing fine, and is now in a maison de repos for cardio-rehab. The only setback has been some persistant episodes of palpitations the last three days, which the doctors are controlling with medication.

I was interested, however, that you describe Mayor Koch’s surgery as “challenging”. My wife’s French surgeon – bless him – when we asked him about the “challenging” nature of his work, replied with great sang-froid that it was never challenging, simply a case of taking time and care and making sure all the protocols were observed.

These guys are very cool.



Adam Pick says on June 20th, 2009 at 2:08 pm

Paul,

Great to hear your wife is having only a minor setback with the palpitations.

And yes… I completely agree. Heart surgeons have a “very cool” way about them.

Also, thanks for the kind words about the blog and book. It’s a privilege and honor to support you and your wife during this time – even though you are thousands of miles away.

Give my best to your wife!

Keep on tickin!

Adam


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